Butembo
Encyclopedia
Butembo is a city
in North Kivu, in the north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying west of the Virunga National Park
. Until the Congo Civil War
, it was an important commercial centre with a large market
, a cathedral
, a small hospital
, and an airport
, lying in an area known for tea
and coffee
growing. As of 2010 it had an estimated population of 200,000.
The Université Catholique du Graben (UCG) is located in Butembo. It was founded in 1989.
In 2006 Hotel de Butembo was finished. An expensive hotel when compared to the living standards, but a very safe place to stay for foreigners. As of 2007, Butembo (and surroundings) can be seen in detail in Google Maps.
In September 2008, Butembo was the site of a riot
. The riot broke out in connection with a football game in between the teams of Socozaki
and Nyuki System, when it was suspected that Nyuki's goal keeper was applying witchcraft
. 13 people were killed and 36 injured.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in North Kivu, in the north eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, lying west of the Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park , formerly named Albert National Park, is a 7800 square km National Park that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the South, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the North, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori...
. Until the Congo Civil War
Congo Civil War
Congo Civil War may refer to:* In the Kingdom of Kongo:**Kongo Civil War * In the Republic of the Congo :**Republic of the Congo Civil War...
, it was an important commercial centre with a large market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
, a cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
, a small hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
, and an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
, lying in an area known for tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
and coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
growing. As of 2010 it had an estimated population of 200,000.
Overview
The city is home to the 2nd Integrated Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The Université Catholique du Graben (UCG) is located in Butembo. It was founded in 1989.
In 2006 Hotel de Butembo was finished. An expensive hotel when compared to the living standards, but a very safe place to stay for foreigners. As of 2007, Butembo (and surroundings) can be seen in detail in Google Maps.
In September 2008, Butembo was the site of a riot
2008 Congo football riots
On Sunday 14 September 2008, a riot broke out in connection with a football game in Butembo, province of Nord-Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The teams playing were Socozaki and Nyuki System, which are two local clubs whose games are considered derbies. The riots...
. The riot broke out in connection with a football game in between the teams of Socozaki
Socozaki
Socozaki is a derby football team operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There were involved in football riots during a match against rival team Nyuki System in 2003 that led to the deaths of 13 people, mostly children....
and Nyuki System, when it was suspected that Nyuki's goal keeper was applying witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. 13 people were killed and 36 injured.
Sources and references
- Butembo in Google Maps
- YouTube Video of Nella Star (2007) Video by Godfried van Loo following Dutch sociologist/anthropologist Nella Star when going back to Butembo after over 30 years. With a lot of footage from the city Butembo and surroundings. Dutch/French spoken and subtitled.